Hollow-walled box



Aug. 5, 1952 M. WILLIAMSON HOLLOW-WALLED BOX 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 19, 1951 INVENTOR. Mars/1a]! I. Williamson A 7' TOR/VE Y M. l. WILLIAMSON HOLLOW-WALLED BOX Aug. 5, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 19 1951 INVENTOR- Mars/mf/ Z Wz'llz'amaan A TTORNE) Aug. 5, 1952 M. 1. WILLIAMSON HOLLOW-WALLED BOX 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 19 1951 INVENTOR. Marshall Wflliamsan ATTORNEY Aug. 5, 1952 1. WILLIAMSON HOLLOW-WALLED BOX File d June 19, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Marshall Williainon Patented Aug. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE 1 Application June 19, 1951, Serial No. 232,350

. 6 Claims.

This invention provides a novel and improved construction of boxes, cartons, trays, or other receptacles made from paperboard, cardboard,-or-

This invention has particular reference to folding boxes having hollow walls of substantially triangular cross-section. Such boxes are sometimes referred to as bevel-edge boxes or beveledge trays. I I

Hollow walled boxes of the aforementioned type must meet exacting specifications with regard to appearance and strength. The most important structural detail in this connection is the construction of the box corners since it determines not only the neatness of appearance, but also the resistance of the box to deformation. It is very important that hollow walled boxes should have corner constructions which remain neatly assembled, even if considerable force is exerted on the hollow box walls from the inside, from the outside, or from above. a

Forces from the inside are generally exerted by the merchandise packaged in the box. Tight fitting merchandise, for example, exerts a substantial force against the inner panels'of the box walls.

Forces from the outside are encountered if the box is tight-wrapped, or packaged in multiple in larger boxes or cases.

Forces from above are encountered'when the boxes are stacked one on top of another.

My prior Patent 2,522,325 of September 12, 1950 discloses and claims, among other details, a particularly advantageous and strong corner construction for hollow walled folding boxes having walls of substantially triangular cross-section. This corner construction includes a plurality of panels integral with theinner panel and with the outer panel of a hollow wall, for example a side wall, the characteristic feature of the arrangement being, that the panel assembly which originally forms a continuation of the hollow side wall can be folded to extend in a new direction, at an angle to the direction it originally assumed, to furnish support for a further box wall, for example an end wall, which extends at an angle to the side wall. V V

This invention is concerned with certain improvements and refinements of the aforementioned basiccorner construction. The invention provides wall constructions covering a considerable range of angles for the inside and for the outside wall panels, and also permits box' blanks to be pre-folded in such a way that the assembly of the box} beginning from a flat collapsed blank, is greatly facilitated.

Theseimprovementsare the subject matter of this and of the co-pending application for LettersPatent, Serial No. 232,349, filed June 19, 1951; This application for Letters Patent is more particularly directedto hollow-walled folding boxes of the aforementionedtype in which the main panel, or bottom, is. of. double thickness. In this type of box allexposedsurfaces of the box are formed by thesame surface of the board permittingluse of board which isv imprinted, decoratively finished,or, otherwise surface treated on one side only.

My co-pending application, Serial No. 232,349, is directed to boxes. in which the main, or bottom panel, is of; single ply thickness. It is also directed to the feature of pre-gluing certain portions of the blank in such a way that erection of two opposite wall structures automatically causes the other twowallstructures to assume their final shape;and position..

Regardless whether a single-ply bottom construction or a double-ply bottom construction is used, there is alarge choice of angles. The inside' wallpanels, as well as the outside wall panels, may have a slope of degrees with respect to the main panel. The inside walls may form an angle of degrees with respect to the main, panel, and the outside walls may slope at anangle of 45 degrees or 60 degrees, as may be required by the particular packaging job. The boxes may be shallow, or-they-may be deep. The angles of the sidewalls may differ from the angles of the end walls, and the angles in general, may be of other magnitudes as hereinbefore stated, the previously given figures being most commonly called for in the trade.

These and various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the detailed description which fol lows, accompanied by drawings showing, for the purpose of illustration, a representative em bodiment of the invention. The invention also consists in certain new and original'features of constructionand combination of elements hereinafter setforth and claimed.

I 'Although the characteristicfeatures of this invention which are believed to be novel will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended nection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a flat out and scored box blank incorporating the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the blank of Figure 1 after a first folding and gluing operation resulting in the formation of a tubular blank;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 2 in the process of expansion into hollow box form;

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views, illustrating further advanced stages of assembly, after folding of certain corner panels from a first position in line with the side wall panels into a second position at an angle with respect to the sidewall panels;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the completed box; and

Figure 7 is an end view, partly in section, of the box of Figure 6', a section being taken on plane l'|-'I of Figure 6, the inner end wall being shown upright, before folding and tucking in.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will be identifiedby specific names for convenience. These names, however, are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit. Corresponding reference characters refer 'to corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings In the drawings accompanying,v and. forming part of, this'specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for the purpose of explanation of broader aspects of the invention, but it is understood that details may be modified in various respects without departure from the principles of the invention and. that the invention may be applied to other structures than the one shown.

Referring to the drawings, the blank A in Figure 1 may be cut and scored in multiple from rolls or sheets of paperboard, cardboard, or other flexible sheet material. Only one side of the board need be imprinted or' otherwise decoratively finished, since only one side of the blank is exposed to view. In Figure 1 the blank is shown in the position in which the unfinished surface faces the observer.

The blank is subdivided into panels and flaps by a plurality of score lines. An outer main panel H is bordered by outer side fold lines l2 and I3 and outer end fold lines M and |5. These fold lines intersect at the corners l6, l8 and IQ of the main panel which, as will later be seen, become the outer corners of th box.

Outer side wall panels and 2| are articulated to the outer main panel" along the outer side fold lines l2 and I3, respectively. Inner side wall panels 22 and 23 are articulated to the outer side wall panels along side ridge fold lines 24 and 25. An inner bottom panel 26 is articulated to the inner side wall panel 23 along inner side fold line 28, and a glue lap 21 is articulated to the inner bottom panel2|i along an inner side fold line 29.

Outer end wall panels 30 and 3| are articulated to the main panel along the outer end fold lines l4 and I5, respectively. Inner end. wall panels 32 and 33 are articulated to the outer end Wall panels along end ridge fold lines 34 and 35. respectively. Tuck flaps 36 and 31 are articulated to the inner end wall panels 32 and 33 along inner end fold line 38 and 39, respectively.

Side flaps 40 and 4| are articulated to the outer end wall panel 30 along oblique flap fold lines 42 and 43 extending at an angle with respect to the outer end fold line l4. A further pair of side flaps 44 and 45 is articulated to th outer end wall panel 3| along oblique fold lines 46 and 41, respectively.

The provision of the side flaps 40, 4|, 44 and 45 is optional. However, as will later become apparent, the side flaps, besides performing a structural function, result in neater appearance, since no out edges are exposed at the corners of the box, if the aforementioned side flaps are employed.

The corner structur of the blank includes three panel portions bordered by four corner fold lines aimed at a common point of intersection on the side ridge fold lines. In the illustrated form of blank substantially triangular panel portions 48 and49. are articulated to the inner side wall panel 22 along corner fold lines 50 and 5|, respectively. These fold lines intersect the side ridge fold line 24 at 52 and 53. A further pair of substantially triangular panel portions 54 and 55 is articulated to the outer side wall panel 20 along corner fold. lines 56 and 51, respectively. It will be noted that these corner fold lines 56 and 51 are also aimed at the points of intersection 52 and 53, respectively. The panel portions 54 and 55 are further bordered by the extended ridge fold line 24. Further triangular panel portions 54 and 55 are articulated to the panel portions 54 and 55 along the foldline 24 and are bordered by corner fold lines 58 and 59 towards the panel portions 48 and 49, respectively. The corner fold lines 58 and 59 are also aimed at the points 52 and 53, respectively.

Securing flaps 60' andfil are articulated to the panel portions 54, 54 and 55, 55' along flap fold lines 62 and 63, respectively. These securing flaps perform their function in a variety of ways, as will later be seen. They may be caused to abut one or more fold lines of the blank with their outer edges, such abutment edges being 64 and 65 on the securing flap 69, and edges 66 and B1 on the securing flap 6|.

In a similar manner substantially triangular panel portions 68 and 69 are articulated to the inner side wall panel 2| along corner fold. lines I0 and H, respectively. These fold lines intersect the side ridg fold line 25 at 12 and 13, respectively; A further pair of substantially triangular panel portions 14 and i5 is articulated to the outer side wall panel 2| along corner fold lines 16 and 11, respectively. It will be noted that these corner fold lines 16 and 11 are also aimed at the points of intersection l2 and 13, respectively. The panel portions 14 and 15 are further bordered by the extended ridge fold line 25. Further triangular panel portions l4 15 are articulated to the panel portions 14 and 15 along the fold lines 25 and are bordered by corner fold lines 18 and 19 towards the panel portions 69 and 69, respectively. The corner fold lines 18 and 19 are also aimed at the points 12 and 13, respectively.

Securing flaps and 8| are articulated to the panel portions 14 and 15 along flap fold lines 82 and 83, respectively. These securing flaps 80 and BI have abutment edges 84, 85, and 8G, 81, respectively.

The side flaps 40, 4|, 44, and 45 have cut bordering edges 88, 89, 90, 9|, 92, 93, 94 and 95, respectively, which are so disposed that the cut edges abut certain fold lines of other panels in the assembled box as will later be seen.

The assembly of the blank A shown in Figure 1 into box form may proceed as follows:

Adhesive a is first applied to the undersurface of the glu lap 21 and the blank is then folded along the side ridge fold line 25 to bringthe inner main panel 26 and the glue lap 21 overthe outer main panel I Substantially simultaneously, or shortly thereafter, the panels and 22 are folded at the outer-side fold line [2 to bring theing and folding operation which will now be described. Y

The flat collapsed blank A' -is expanded by pressure exerted against the edges l2 and 25. Simultaneously the inner main panel 26 isur'ged into surface-to-surface contact with the'outer main panel The resulting structure is shown in Figure 3. The inner and the outer side wall panels assume approximately, although not necessarily accurately, the slope they are to .assume'in the finished box. V I

The panel portions of the corner structures are alignedwith the respective outer and inner side wall panels. For example, the panel portion 54 and a portion of the flapfifi lie in the same plane as the outer side wall panel 20. The panel portions 68, 14, and a portion of the flap 80 lie in the same plane as the inner side wall panel 23. The panel portion 14 and the remainder of'the flap 80 lie in the same plane as the outer side wall panel 2|. The condition of the structure may also be characterized by the fact that the ridge fold lines 24 and 25 extend unbroken beyond the points 52 and 12, respectively.

Next, pressure is exerted against the panel por tions 54 and 14, causing the corner structures to assume a new and angular position as illustrated in Figure 4. In the new position the panel portions 54 and 54 move into the same plane, and similarly the panel portions 14 and 14' flatten out. The panel portions 48 and 68 extend at an angle with respect to the inner side walls 22 and 23. The portions of the flaps to and 80 move into the same plane which, however, lies at an angle with respect to the plane of the panel portions 54, 54 and 14, 14', the crease lines being 62 and 82.

It will be noted that the crease lines 62 and 32 have moved slightly beyondthe outer end'fold line M. This mis-alignment is automatically corrected by the subsequent folding and erecting operations. e

As a next step, the side flaps 40 and 4| are folded over the securing flaps 60 and 80,-as'shown in Figure 5. The blank structure is now in condition for the completion of the end walls. For this purpose the-end wall structure is folded'upwardly about the outer end fold line I4. This folding operation causes the flaps 60 and 80 to slide with respect to the panel3fl and the overlying side flaps 4D and 4| until the edge 64 abuts the fold line 42 and the edge 84 abuts the fold line 43. Simultaneously the edges 65 and 88 line up as well as the edges 85 and 90, as is shown in Figure '7. Also, the edges 89 and9| abut and engage the creases 62 and B2,respectively. As the panel 30 is folded upon the 'end surfaces 54, 54' and 14, 14, the flaps Bll'and 80 are folded back upon the panels from which they extend, clamping the side fiapsMJ and 4| securely therebetween.

The sliding of the various flaps and panels with respect to other flaps and panels causes inaccuracies in the slope of the side wall panels to be corrected automatically. ,Also, a great amount of rigidity is achieved by reason of the engagements and abutments.

The assembly of the box end wall is completed by infolding' of the innerjend wall panel 32 and tucking of the tuck flap 36 underneath the corner structures, particularly underneath the edges of the panel portions 48and 68.

The assembly of the opposite end wall takes" place in the samemanner,

The'completedibox is shown in Figure 6-. It

possesses extraordinary strength and is greatly resistant to forces exerted on it from the inside, from the outsideand from above. The box has also great resistance to twisting. The strength of the box is due mainly to the unique corner construction formed by the aforementionedpanel portions having bordering ffold lines-aimed at common points of intersections. Thestrength of the corner assembly, particularly its resistance to outwardly directed force, is enhanced byfthe aforementioned abutment betweenthe v'arious abutment edges and the fold line's withf whi'ch the abutment edges lie in registry. I

Obviously, the present invention is notrestricted to the particular form of box-herein de scribed, but may be incorporated in other forms of boxes with equal benefits. 5 Thus, various a d' ditions, omissions, modifications; substitutions, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. What is claimed is:

1. A hollow-walled folding box comprising, an outer bottom; an inner bottom; side 'w'allstruc tures; and at least one end wall structure articulated to said outer bottom, each of said side wall structures comprising, an outersidewall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer side fold line; an inner side wall panel articulated to said outer side wall panel "along a side ridge fold line and articulated to said'inner bottom along an inner side'fold line; saidz'endkwall structure comprising, an outer'end :wall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer end fold line, an inner end panel articulated to said outer end panel along an end'ridge fold line, and a flap articulated to said inner end panel along an inner end fold line;;a corner structure comprising three panel'portions bordered by four corner fold lines aimed .at a common point of intersection on said side ridge fold line, one of said comer fold linesarticulating one of said panel portions to said outside wall panel, another of said corner fold lines articulating another of saidpanel portions to said inside wall panel, further corner fold lines articulating the third panel portion to said one panel portion and said other panel portion, respectively; and a flap articulated to said one panel portion, said flap underlying said outer end wall panel in box assembled position in Which said flap is also folded back upon said one panel portion, thereby reinforcing the box corner against outwardly directed force'acting on' the walls.

2. A hollow-walled folding box comprising, an outer bottom; an inner bottom; side wall structures; and at least one end wall structure articulated to said outer bottom, each of said side wallstructures comprising, an outer side wall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer side fold line; an inner .side .wall panel articulated to said outer side wall; panel along, a side ridge fold line and articulated to fsaid-in'ner acetate ot om alongaainaer side to in saicictid.v

i g d e. and a flaiia iculated Qis inner end panel along an' inner eridffold' line; a corner s ru re. c m r s ng h e. p nel P irtions bordered by four cmfnfi iiold lines airned' at acommon point of intersection on said side ridge fold line, one of said corner fold lines articulating one of said, panel portions to said outside wall panel, anotherlor said .corner'jfold lines articulating another of said panel portions to said inside wall panel, furtheri'corner fold lines articulating the third'panel portion to said one panel portion and said otherpanel portion, respectively; and a flap articulated to said one panel portion and said third panel portion along a fold line aimed at the adjacent corner of the outer bottom, said flap underlying said'. outer end wall panel in box assembled position in which said flap is also folded back upon said one panel portion, thereby reinforcing the box corner against outwardly directed force actingon the walls.

3. A hollow-walled folding box comprising, an outer bottom; an inner bottom; side wall struc tures; and at least one end wall structure a ticulated to said outer bottom, each of said side wall structures comprising, an outer side wall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer side fold line; an inner side Wall panel articulated to said outer side wall panel along a side ridge fold line and articulated to said inner bottom along an inner side fold line; said end wall structure comprising, an outer end wall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer end fold line, an inner end panel articulated to said outer end panel along an end ridge fold line, and a flap articulated to said inner end panel along an inner end fold line; a corner structure comprising three-panel portions bordered by four corner fold lines aimed at a com-: mon point of intersection on said side ridge fold line, one of said corner fold lines articulating one of said panel portions to said outside wall panel, another of said. corner fold lines articulating another of said panel portions to said inside wall panel, further corner fold lines articue lating the third panel portion to said one panel portion and said other panel portion, respectively; and a flap articulated to said one panel portion and said third panel portion along a fold line aimed at the adjacent corner of the outer bottom, said flap having an end e ge abutting said end ridge fold'line in box assembled position in which said securing flap is folded back with respect to the panel portions to which it is hinged,- thereby reinforcing the box corner against outwardly directed force'acting on the walls. e

4. A hollow-walled folding. box'compr s ng, an outer bottom; an inner bottom; side wall structures; and at least one end-wall structure articulated to said outer bottom; each of said said side wall structures comprising, an outer side wall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer side fold line; an inner side wall panel articulated to said outer side wall panel along a side ridge fold line and articulated to said inner bottom along an inner side fold line; said end wall structure comprising, an outer end wall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer end fold line, an inner end panel articulated to said outer end panel along an end ridge fold line, and a flap articulated to said inner end panel along an inner end fold line; a cor-. ner structure comprising three panel portions bordered by tour corner told lines aimed at a common point of intersection'on said side ridge fold line, one of said corner- Iold lines articulating one of said panel portions to said outside wall panel, another of said corner fold lines articulating another of said panel portions to said inside wallpanel, further cornerfold lines articulating the third panel portion to said one panel portion and said other panel portion, respectively; a flap articulated to said one panel portion and to said third panel portion along a fold line aimed at the adjacent corner oi the outer bottom; and a side flap articulated to the outer end wall panel alonga fold line also aimed at said outer bottom corner, and oblique with respect to said outer end fold line.

5. A hollow-walled folding box comprising, an outer bottom; an inner bottom; side wall structures; and at least one end wall structure articulated to said outer bottom, each of said side wall structures comprising, an outer side wall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer side fold line; an inner side wall panel articulated to said outer side wall panel along a side ridge fold line and articulated to said inner bottom along an inner side fold line; said end wall structure comprising, an outer end wall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer end fold line, an inner end panel articulated to said outer end panel along an end ridge fold line and a flap articulated to said inner end panel along an inner end fold line; a corner structure comprising three panel portions bordered by four corner fold lines aimed at a common point oi intersection on said side ridge fold line, one of said corner fold lines articulating one of said panel portions to said outside wall panel, another of said corner fold lines articulating another of said panel portions to said inside wall panel, further corner fold lines articulating the third panel portion to said one-panel portion and said other panel portion, respectively; a fiap articulated to said one panel portion and to said third panel portion along a fold line aimed at the adjacent corner of the outer bottom; and a side flap articulated to the outer end wall panel along a fold line also aimed at said outer bottom corner, and oblique with respect to said outer end fold line, said securing flap having a side edge abutting said'side flap fold line in box assembled position in which said securing flap is folded back with respect to said one and said third panel portions, said side flap resting between said securing flap and said one and third panel portions.

6. A hollow-walled folding box comprising, an outer bottom; an inner bottom; side wall structures; and at least one end wall structure articulated to said outer bottom, each of said side wall structures comprising, an outer side wall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer side fold line; an inner side wall panel articulated to said outer side wall panel along a side ridge fold line and articulated to said inner bottom along an inner side fold line; said end wall structure comprising, an outer end wall panel articulated to said outer bottom along an outer end fold line, an inner end panel articulated to said outer end panel along an end ridge fold line, and a, flap articulated to said inner end pa on an nner d t d ine; a orn structure comprising three panel portions bordered by four corner fold lines aimed at a common point of intersection on said side ridge fold line, one of said corner fold lines articulating one of said panel portions to said outside wall panel, another of said corner fold lines articulating another of said panel portions to said inside wall panel, further corner fold lines articulating the third panel portion to said one panel portion and said other panel portion, respectively; a flap articulated to said one panel portion and to said third panel portion along a fold line aimed at the adjacent corner of the outer bottom; and a, side flap articulated to the outer end wall panel along a, fold line also aimed at said outer bottom corner, and oblique with respect to said outer end fold line, said side flap 10 having an edge also aimed at said outer bottom corner for engaging the flap fold line of said securing flap when said side flap rests between said one and third panel portions and said se curing flap.

MARSHALL I. WILLIAMSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,318,198 Clarke May 4, 1943 2,519,831 Frankenstein Aug. 22, 1950 2,531,255 Clarke Nov. 21, 1950 

